Maybe only those who live in the East are aware of the hidden gems that lie in Katong Shopping Centre, a dingy mall built more than fifty years ago.
In one of the basement food courts is a stall named Katong Mei Wei, known for its delicate Steamed Chicken Rice, which has been around for some time.
This stall hidden in the basement of Katong Shopping Centre is well-loved by the Easties for obvious reasons.
Other than being “Food King Good” (I know, but many still fondly remember it), generous portions, the 2nd generation hawker is known to be an influencer with creative TikTok videos to entertain customers.
It is hard to miss as over 75% crowd of the food court is at this stall alone.
Its second-generation owner, Soki Wu, recently opened up his own Katong Mei Wei, also stylised as K.T.M.W., as a café concept a distance away in East Village.
His vision was to take the heritage and put a modern touch to it. While he once thought that he would not become a hawker, preserving the chicken rice recipe has nonetheless become a priority.
The result is a place that has its own space, with deliberately designed livery, décor, and concept.
One side of the wall in K.T.M.W. bears a sketch of Katong Shopping Centre, the roots of where it all began.
There is also a Merlion with a familiar face on it. When asked, Soki said, ”Yup, that’s me!”
While K.T.M.W. is a Chicken Rice place, it only does it steamed and not roasted.
A Steamed Chicken Rice Set ($7) comes with a portion of protein, rice, cucumbers, garlic and chilli – exactly as you would expect.
The chicken itself was juicy and tender, tasted more delicious with the flavoursome sauce.
One small addition is fried garlic bits on top of the chicken, for crunch with the chicken and helped differentiate this with the average stall.
As for the rice, it would be a love it or so-so affair, as one would expect the grains to be more fragrant?
But considering the overall package, its popularity is not without reason.
Sides include Ajitama Egg ($2.50), Achar ($3), Cold Tofu ($3.50), Chicken Feet ($5.50), and Fried Chicken Wings ($6.60).
I would recommend the achar, whose sour-sweet notes are refreshing to break up your palette.
The Fried Chicken Wing with Korean Sweet Soy Sauce ($6.60) was probably introduced to appeal to a younger customer base.
Perhaps due to sauce, the outer layer was not as crispy as I would have wished it to be, and in fact turned rather soggy.
Now, for something unexpected, K.T.M.W. serves a range of café-style cold drinks.
To complete the line-up are Rose Elder Flower Ice Shaken Tea ($5.60), Sacred Passionate Fruit Ice Shaken Tea ($5.60), and Strawberry Elder Flower Ice Shaken Tea ($5.60).
There are also the Matcha Marshmallow Milkshake ($6.50) which would come served in an aesthetic hexagonal cup, with a stick of toasted marshmallow resting on the rim of earthy sweetness.
Also available is a Nutella Chocobi Milkshake ($6.50), a hazelnutty goodness that would come accompanied by a stick of kinder bueno.
Hopefully, Katong Mei Wei gets to keep the tradition alive for years to come.
Katong Mei Wei
430 Upper Changi Road, East Village #01-07, Singapore 487048
Opening Hours: 11am – 9pm (Tues – Sun), Closed Mon
Katong Mei Wei Boneless Chicken Rice
Katong Shopping Centre #B1-85/87, 865 Mountbatten Rd, Singapore 437844
Opening Hours: 10:45am – 7pm (Tues – Fri), 11am – 7pm (Sat – Sun), Closed Mon
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* Written by Daniel Ang and Dean Ang. Follow @DanielFoodDiary on Facebook, Instagram and Youtube for more food news, food videos and travel highlights. DFD paid for food reviewed unless otherwise stated.
